System for operating a sequence of games with enhanced payouts

ABSTRACT

A gaming system and method for operating a sequence of single games, providing enhanced payouts for bets placed with credits earned over the course of previous games, and restricting access to certain games according to a predetermined set of criterion. The system comprises a terminal for players to place their bets on outcomes of a last selected game and a single game controller for operating the last selected game. The system further comprises a sequencer for selecting the next game of the sequence at predetermined intervals of time and determining whether players are eligible to participate in the selected games. The system also comprises a bet controller for determining whether the bets were placed with regular or bonus credits, and assigning enhanced payout factors to those of the bets that were placed with bonus credits.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for operating gamesof chance. More specifically, it relates to devices and methods foroperating a sequence of games of chance presenting enhanced payouts.

BACKGROUND

Gambling has historically been a favourite pastime for many and has,over the years, enjoyed very rapid growth. However, it has recentlybecome apparent that some of the most successful games, such asRoulette, have been recently slipping in popularity. As a result, thereis a need for a new generation of games, one that will revive theinterest of casino patrons and enable the casino industry to sustain itsgrowth.

Some of the industry's leaders have been developing new games, newsystems for operating games, and new incentives, most of which aredesigned to improve the overall gambling experience of casino patronsand hold their interest for extended periods of time.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an additionalincentive in the form of enhanced payouts for bets placed withpreviously earned credits.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system foroperating a sequence of distinct games at predetermined intervals oftime on a same platform.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided agaming system for providing enhanced payouts, the system comprising aterminal for accepting regular bets placed with regular credits andbonus bets placed with bonus credits on any of a same set of gameoutcomes, a game controller for providing game display instructions tothe terminal and for selecting one the game outcomes in accordance withrules of the game, the main bet controller for multiplying the regularcredits placed on the selected outcome by a regular factor to determinecredits earned with the regular bets, a bonus bet controller formultiplying the bonus credits placed on the selected outcome by a bonusfactor to determine credits earned with the bonus bets, wherein thebonus factor is greater than the regular factor, and a credit controllerfor incrementing the player's credit balance by at least some of thecredits earned with the regular bets and bonus bets.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of providing an enhanced payout comprising providing regularcredits and bonus credits in accordance with two different acquisitionmodalities, accepting regular bets placed with the regular credits orbonus bets placed with the bonus credits on any of a same set of gameoutcomes, selecting one the outcomes, if the regular bets are accepted,multiplying the regular credits placed on the selected outcome by aregular factor to determine credits earned with the regular bets, if thebonus bets are accepted, multiplying the bonus credits placed on theselected outcome by a bonus factor to determine the credits earned withthe bonus bets, wherein the bonus factor is greater than the regularfactor, and incrementing the player's credit balance by at least some ofthe credits earned with the regular bets and bonus bets.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there isprovided a gaming system for operating a sequence of single games, thesystem comprising a sequencer for selecting a next one of the games ofthe sequence, a timer for enabling the sequencer at predeterminedintervals of time, a terminal for accepting bets placed by a player onany of a set of outcomes of the last selected game, a single gamecontroller for providing game display instructions to the terminal andfor selecting one of the potential outcomes, the bet controller fordetermining the credits earned by the player with those of the betsplaced on the selected outcome, and the credit controller forincrementing the player's credit balance by at least a portion of theearned credits.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there isprovided a method of operating a sequence of single games, the methodcomprising selecting a next one of the games of the sequence atpredetermined intervals of time, accepting bets placed by a player onany of a set of outcomes of the last selected game, selecting one of theoutcomes, determining the credits earned by the player with those of thebets placed on the selected outcome, and incrementing the player'scredit balance by at least a portion of the earned credits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives andadvantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is top plan view of an apparatus for playing a sequence of gamesoffering enhanced payouts according to one embodiment, the apparatuscomprising a center display for displaying game outcomes and fourindividual terminals for accepting bets, displaying earned credits, anddisplaying credit balances;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an environment for playing the sequenceof games according to one embodiment, the environment comprising acenter display for displaying game outcomes positioned, the centerdisplay positioned at the center of semicircular rows of horizontallymounted terminals for accepting bets, displaying earned credits, anddisplaying credit balances;

FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface displayed on the terminal forplacing a bet on one or more outcomes of the first of a sequence of sixgames;

FIG. 4 illustrates a visual interface displayed on the center display,the visual interface presenting an animation of the selection of anoutcome for the first game;

FIG. 5 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the center display,the visual interface informing the player of the first game's outcome;

FIG. 6 illustrates the user interface displayed on a terminal forinforming the player of the outcome of the first game;

FIG. 7 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player of the credits earned over the course of the firstgame and providing the option of placing a bet with the earned creditson one of the second game's outcomes;

FIG. 8 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forplacing a bet on one or more outcomes of the second game;

FIG. 9 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the center display,the visual interface presenting an animation of the selection of anoutcome for the second game;

FIG. 10 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface informing the player of the second game'soutcome;

FIG. 11 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player of the outcome of the second game;

FIG. 12 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player of the credits earned over the course of the secondgame and providing the option of placing a bet with the earned creditson one of the third game's outcomes;

FIG. 13 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forplacing a bet on one or more outcomes of the third game;

FIG. 14 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface presenting an animation of the selectionof an outcome for the third game;

FIG. 15 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface informing the player of the third game'soutcome;

FIG. 16 illustrates the user interface displayed on a terminal forinforming the player of the outcome of the third game;

FIG. 17 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player of the credits earned over the course of the thirdgame and providing the option of placing a bet with the earned creditson one of the fourth game's outcomes;

FIG. 18 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forplacing a bet on one or more outcomes of the fourth game;

FIG. 19 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface presenting an animation of the selectionof an outcome for the fourth game;

FIG. 20 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface informing the player of the fourth game'soutcome;

FIG. 21 illustrates the user interface displayed on a terminal forinforming the player of the outcome of the fourth game;

FIG. 22 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player of the credits earned over the course of the fourthgame and providing the option of placing a bet with the earned creditson one of the fifth game's outcomes;

FIG. 23 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forplacing a bet on one or more outcomes of the fifth game;

FIG. 24 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface presenting an animation of the selectionof an outcome for the fifth game;

FIG. 25 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface informing the player of the fifth game'soutcome;

FIG. 26 illustrates the user interface displayed on a terminal forinforming the player of the outcome of the fifth game;

FIG. 27 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player of the credits earned over the course of the fifthgame and providing the option of placing a bet with the earned creditson one of the sixth game's outcomes;

FIG. 28 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player that no bets can be placed on outcomes of the sixthdraw as no credits were earned in the fifth;

FIG. 29 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player of the credits earned over the course of the fifthgame and providing the option of placing a bet with the earned creditson one of the sixth game's outcomes;

FIG. 30 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface presenting an animation of the selectionof an outcome for the sixth game;

FIG. 31 illustrates the visual interface displayed on the centerdisplay, the visual interface informing the player of the sixth game'soutcome;

FIG. 32 illustrates the user interface displayed on the terminal forinforming the player of the credits earned over the course of the sixthgame;

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system for operatinga sequence of games presenting enhanced payouts according to a preferredembodiment;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a single gamecontroller, a component of the system, according to a preferredembodiment;

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a bet controller, acomponent of the system, according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a sequence controller,a component of the system, according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 37 is flowchart illustrating a method of providing enhanced payoutsaccording to a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 38 is flowchart illustrating a method of operating a sequence ofgames presenting enhanced payouts according to a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system for operating sequential games and its inventive features aredescribed herein below. For exemplary purposes and in order to clearlydemonstrate the synergy between the features, a system for operating asequence of six specific games is presented. However, it should beapparent to a person skilled in the art that other sequences of gamesmay be operated by the system without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is top plan view of an apparatus for playing a sequence of gamesoffering enhanced payouts according to one embodiment, the apparatuscomprising a center display 103 for displaying game outcomes and fourindividual terminals 101 for accepting bets, displaying earned credits,and displaying credit balances.

The terminals 101, also known in the field of gaming as consoles orstations, are detachably mounted on a same platform and positioned in asubstantially circular configuration with respect to the display 103,also known in the field of gaming as a communal or central panel. Eachof the terminals 101 comprises a touch screen, a set of speakers, acurrency acceptor, a prepaid casino card reader, a dedicated ticket-inticket-out printer, as well as a system that enables the interaction ofthese various components with a player, with each other, and withcomponents of the display 103 for the purposes of the game.

As for the display 103, it comprises a screen, a set of speakers, aswell as a system that enables the interaction of these variouscomponents with each other and with components of the terminals.Furthermore, the screens of the terminals 101 and display 103 aremounted in a substantially horizontal manner and those of the terminals103 are positioned in proximity of that of the display 103 such that aplayer standing in front of any of the terminals 101 may easily shifthis attention between the screen of the terminals 101 and that of thedisplay 103. The number of the terminals 101 mounted on the platform maybe readily modified as a function of parameters such as spatialconstraints and operation costs.

Although the terminals 101 have been described as detachably mounted onthe platform, they may be fixedly mounted thereon in order, forinstance, to reduce costs associated with the manufacture of such anapparatus. Furthermore, although the terminals 101 have been describedas positioned in a substantially circular configuration with respect tothe display 103, they may be positioned otherwise such as in asubstantially semicircular configuration with respect to the display103, wherein the display 103 is vertically mounted to provide allplayers with an unobstructed view. Moreover, although each of theterminals 101 has been described as comprising a touch screen, it mayalternatively comprise an elaborate set of keys or a screen coupled witha set of keys. Also, although the display 103 has been described ascomprising a screen, it may alternatively comprise a display surfaceupon which images are projected. Finally, although the screens of theterminals 101 and display 103 have been described as mounted in asubstantially horizontal manner, they may be mounted otherwise such asin a substantially vertical manner to comply with spatial constraints.Alternatively, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the game may be played inan environment comprising a center display 203 for displaying gameoutcomes positioned, the center display positioned at the center ofsemicircular rows of horizontally mounted terminals 201 for acceptingbets, displaying earned credits, and displaying credit balances.

For the purposes of the specification, and describing the game withinthe context of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, a graphical elementis said to be displayed on the terminal 101 or display 103 if theelement is displayed on the screen of the terminals 101 or display 103.Finally, a player is said to select a graphical element if the playerapplies pressure on a portion of the touch screen of one of theterminals 101 within which the element is displayed.

Referring now to FIG. 33, there is presented a schematic block diagramillustrating a system for operating a sequence of games presentingenhanced payouts according to a preferred embodiment. Prior to turningthe system on, graphics for each of the games are stored in a userinterface controller 3303 and a visual interface controller 3315.Furthermore, standard and bonus payout factors are stored in a betcontroller 3307, and game specifications, in a single game controller3305. Once the system has been customized in accordance with thespecific sequence of games to be played, it is turned on and parametersof its various components are initialized.

Once the system is customized and the generic parameters areinitialized, a sequence controller 3313 provides transition selectionsto the user interface controller 3303 and the visual interfacecontroller 3315. The transition selections consist in displayinstructions that inform the user interface controller 3303 and thevisual interface controller 3315 of graphics to be displayed on theterminal 101 and the center display 103 between games. At the beginningof a sequence, the graphics serve the purpose of informing players ofthe manner in which the sequence is operated, the applicable rules, andthe first game of the sequence. Within a sequence, the transitiongraphics serve the purpose of introducing the next game of the sequencewhile the single game controller 3305 loads the game specifications. Atthe end of the sequence, the transition graphics serve the purpose ofsignalling the end of the sequence and inform the players of an upcomingsequence.

The sequence controller 3313 provides a game selection signal to thesingle game controller 3305, which signal identifies the first game ofthe sequence. Referring now to FIG. 36, there is provided a schematicblock diagram illustrating the sequence controller 3313, a component ofthe system, according to the preferred embodiment. A sequencer 3601retrieves from a store of sequence rules 3605 the next game of thesequence, which happens to be the first game, and the time settings,namely duration of the first game. The sequencer 3601 provides theselected game to the single game controller 3305 and the time settingsto a timer 3609.

Referring now to FIG. 34, and in response to the received game selectionsignal, the single game controller 3305 retrieves the specifications ofthe first game from a store of game specifications 3405 and providesgame display instructions to the user interface controller 3303 and thevisual interface controller 3315, which instructions consist in specificreferences to graphics associated with a betting phase of the first gamefor display on the terminal 101 and the center display 103.

One of the main purposes of the terminals 101 consists in providing auser interface that enables players to place bets on one or moreoutcomes for each game of the sequence in an efficient and intuitivemanner. When the user interface associated with the first game's bettingphase is displayed for the first time on the terminals since the systemhas been turned on, players who wish to participate in the first gamemay slide their prepaid card in their terminal's card reader to entertheir credit balance into the system. The card data is read and providedto the user interface controller 3303, which in turn stores the player'scredit balance in a store of player credits 3311. Once the userinterface controller 3303 receives confirmation that the credit balancehas indeed been stored, it retrieves and assembles graphics forinforming the player of the stored credit balance and provides theretrieved and assembled graphics to the terminal 101 for display.

Once the credit balance is displayed on the terminal 101, the player mayplace one or more bets on the first game's outcome at any time beforethe betting phase elapses. Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustratedthe user interface displayed on the terminal 101 for placing bets on oneor more outcomes of the first of a sequence of six games. A credit meter303 indicates that five thousand and two credits are available in theplayer's credit balance. Four control keys 305, each of which isassigned a predetermined number of credits, can be manipulated by theplayer to select a desired number of credits to be placed on one of thefirst game's outcomes. Once the desired number of credits is selected,the player may select one of three betting areas 307, each of which isassociated to an outcome of the game.

Referring back to FIG. 33, upon accepting from the terminal 101 playerinput defining a bet request, the user interface controller 303 providesthe bet request to a credit controller 3309, which retrieves theplayer's credit balance from the store of player credits 3311 andverifies whether the retrieved credit balance holds a sufficient numberof credits for the bet to be placed. If sufficient credits areavailable, the credit controller 3309 decrements the credit balance bythe selected number of credits, stores the updated credit balance in thestore of player credits 3311, and provides the approved bets to the betcontroller 3307.

More specifically, and referring to FIG. 35, which presents a schematicblock diagram illustrating the bet controller 3307 according to apreferred embodiment, the credit controller 3309 stores the approved betin a store of approved bets 3509. A main bet controller 3501 retrievesthe approved bet from the store of approved bets 3509, retrieves agame-appropriate factor from a store of factors 3507, and multiplies theretrieved bet and factor to obtain the potential payout, namely thenumber of credits to be earned should the retrieved bet turn out to be awinning bet. The potential payout is provided to a bonus bet controller3503, which in turn retrieves bonus factors of the five subsequentgames, and multiplies the potential payout by the retrieved bonusfactors to obtain a payout table, namely a table that indicates thenumber of credits to be earned if the player successfully bets eachcredit earned in a previous game throughout the sequence. The bonus betcontroller 3503 provides the payout table to the user interfacecontroller 3303.

The user interface controller 3303 routines retrieves updated creditbalances from the store of player credits 3311 and approved bets fromthe store of approved bets 3509. It then retrieves and assemblesgraphics informing the player of the approved bet, the resulting creditbalance decrement, and the resulting payout table before providing theretrieved and assembled graphics to the terminal 101 for display.Referring back to FIG. 3, the graphics include an updated credit meter303, chips 309 placed within the player-selected one of the bettingareas 307, and updated payout table tabs 313. More specifically, thecredit meter 303 indicates that five thousand two credits remain in thecredit balance. The chips 309 within the betting area 307 indicate thattwo credits are placed on a dice roll inferior to seven. The first ofthe payout table tabs 313 indicates that four credits will be earned ifthe placed bet turns out to be a winning bet. Finally, the remainingpayout table tabs 313 indicate that twelve, fifty, five hundred, tenthousand, and twenty thousand credits can be earned if the placed betturns out to be a winner and the player successfully bets each creditearned over the course of the previous game without investing anyadditional credits.

However, if the credit controller 3309 determines that the player'scredit balance holds an insufficient number of credits for the bet to beplaced, no approved bet and updated credit balance are provided to theuser interface controller 3303, and as a result, the user interfacedisplayed on the terminal 101 is not updated to reflect the requestedbet.

A time pane 315 is displayed in the top-left corner of the userinterface 301 for indicating the amount of time left until the end ofthe bet phase, following which players may no longer place bets onoutcomes of the first game. Once the bet phase expires, and referringback to FIG. 34, an outcome generator 3403, which is a component of thesingle game controller 3305, retrieves the first game's specificationsfrom the store of game specifications 3405 to determine a number ofpotential outcomes, randomly selects one of the potential outcomes, andprovides the selected outcome to a main game controller 3401, which inturn provides the selected outcome to other components of the system.More specifically, and referring back to FIG. 33, the main gamecontroller 3401 provides the selected outcome to the user interfacecontroller 3303, the visual interface controller 3315, and the betcontroller 3307.

The visual interface controller 3315 retrieves and assembles ananimation for informing the players of the selected outcome in anentertaining manner, and provides the retrieved and assembled animationto the center display 103 for display. Referring now to FIG. 4, there isillustrated a visual interface 401 displayed on the center display 103,the visual interface 401 presenting an animation of the selection of anoutcome for the first game, wherein the animation consists in a roll ofdice 403. Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated the visualinterface 401 displayed on the center display 103, the visual interface401 informing the player of the first game's outcome, namely a dice rollof seven, within a results pane 405.

Referring back to FIG. 33, once the animation is displayed on the centerdisplay 103, the user interface controller 3303 retrieves and assemblesgraphics for informing the players of the selected outcome, and providesthe retrieved and assembled graphics to the terminal 101 for display.Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated the user interface 301displayed on the terminal 101 for informing the player of the outcome ofthe first game through a message 601. It is important to note that theoutcome illustrated in FIG. 5 is not consistent with the message 601 asthe illustrated outcome is only provided for exemplary purposes.

Referring back to FIG. 35, the selected outcome is provided to the mainbet controller 3501 and the bonus bet controller 3503. The main betcontroller 3501 retrieves from the store of approved bets 3509 those ofthe approved bets placed on the selected outcome, namely the winningbets, retrieves the game-appropriate factor from the store of factors3507, multiplies the winning bets by the retrieved factor to calculatethe credits earned with approved bets, stores the calculated credits ina store of earned credits 3515, and provides the winning bets to theuser interface controller 3303. The bonus bet controller 3503 retrievesfrom a store of bonus bets 3514 those of the bonus bets placed on theselected outcome, namely the winning bonus bets, retrieves thegame-appropriate bonus factor from a store of bonus factors 3511,multiplies the retrieved bonus bets by the retrieved bonus factors tocalculate the credits earned with the bonus bets, stores the calculatedcredits in the store of earned credits 3515, and provides the winningbonus bet to the user interface controller 3303.

The display of the selected outcome on the terminal 101 coincides withthe end of the first game. Referring back to FIG. 35, once the period oftime provided by the sequencer 3601 elapses, the timer 3609 provides thesequencer 3601 a time signal indicating the end of the first game. Inresponse, the sequencer 3601 retrieves the next game of the sequence,namely the second game, from the store of sequence rules 3605, andprovides the game selection to an eligibility controller 3603, which inturn retrieves from the store of sequence rules 3605 the requirements tobe met for players to benefit from bonus conditions.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the bonus conditions areexclusively available to players that have earned credits in animmediately preceding game of a same sequence. The eligibilitycontroller 3603 determines that the selected game is not the first oneof the sequence, retrieves the credits earned by the players from thestore of earned credits 3515, identifies those of the players that havenot earned credits, and provides the resulting restrictions, whichconsist in a list of the identified players, to the sequencer 3601,which in turn dispatches the restrictions to the user interfacecontroller 3303, and provides transition instructions to the userinterface controller 3303 and the visual interface controller 3315.

Referring back to FIG. 33, the user interface controller 3303 retrieveseach player's earned credits from the bet controller 3307, and accordingto the transition instructions provided by the sequence controller 3313,retrieves and assembles graphics for informing each of the of theplayers not found on the restricted list of their winning bets andearned credits. The graphics also provide the players with anopportunity to benefit from advantageous payout factors in the secondgame in exchange for a commitment to place bets with the earned credits,wherein the advantageous factors are exclusively applicable to thecommitted credits. Bets placed under these bonus conditions are referredto as bonus bets, and the advantageous payout factors, as bonus factors.The user interface controller 3303 provides the retrieved and assembledgraphics to the terminal 101 for display.

As for the visual interface controller 3315, it retrieves and assemblesgraphics in accordance with the transition instructions provided by thesequence controller 3313, which graphics present the second game of thesequence to the players, and provides the retrieved and assembledgraphics to the center display 3317.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a user interface 701displayed on the terminal 101 for informing the player of the winningbet, namely the one placed on a roll of dice inferior to 7, and thecredits earned over the course of the first game, namely four credits.The user interface 701 also provides the option of placing a bet withthe earned credits on one of the second game's outcomes.

If the eligible player wishes to take advantage of the proposed bonusconditions, a bonus request must be submitted within a limited timeframe by selecting a control key 705. Otherwise, the player may select acontrol key 707 or wait for the time frame to expire.

Referring back to FIG. 33, if the player submits a bonus request throughthe terminal 101, the user interface controller 3303 provides therequest to the bet controller 3307. More specifically, and referring toFIG. 35, the user interface controller 3307 stores the bonus request inthe store of bonus bets 3513. A payout controller 3505 retrieves thebonus request from the store of bonus bets 3513 and updates the store ofearned credits 3515 accordingly. However, it the player does not submita bonus request through the terminal 101, no bonus request is stored inthe store of bonus bets 3513, and no bonus request is retrieved by thepayout controller 3505. As a result, the payout controller 3515retrieves the player's earned credits from the store of earned credits3515 and provides the earned credits as payouts to another component ofthe system. More specifically, and referring to FIG. 33, the payoutcontroller 3505 provides the payout to the credit controller 3309, whichretrieves the player's credit balance from the store of player credits3311, increments the retrieved credit balance by the provided payout,and stores the updated credit balance in the store of player credits3311.

The sequence controller 3313 also provides the game selection to thesingle game controller 3305, which loads the game specifications of thesecond game and provides game display instructions to the user interfacecontroller 3303 and the visual interface controller 3315. Upon beingprovided the game display instructions, the user interface controller3303 retrieves and assembles graphics for enabling the player to placebets on one of the outcomes of the second game, and provides theretrieved and assembled graphics to the terminal 101. Referring now toFIG. 8, there is illustrated a user interface 801 displayed on theterminal 101 for placing a bet on one or more outcomes of the secondgame, wherein each of the outcomes is assigned to a bet area 807. If theplayer had previously submitted a bonus request, the committed credits,also referred to as the bonus credits, are placed on the outcomeassigned to the first of the bet areas 807 selected by the player.Referring back to FIG. 33, upon accepting the player's selection, theterminal 101 provides the player's input to the user interfacecontroller 3303, which in turn provides the corresponding outcome to thebet controller 3307. More specifically, and referring back to FIG. 35,the user interface controller 3303 stores the outcome in the store ofbonus bets 3513, wherein the outcome completes the bonus credits to forma bonus bet. However, and referring back to FIG. 8, if the player hadnot previously submitted a bonus request, the interface 801 can bemanipulated in a similar manner as the interface 301 illustrated in FIG.3.

According to the preferred embodiment, in order to benefit from thebonus factors, all credits earned over the course of an immediatelypreceding game must be placed on a single outcome. However, according toanother embodiment, in order to benefit from the bonus factors, allcredits earned over the course of an immediately preceding game must beplaced on one or more outcomes. According to yet another embodiment, inorder to benefit from the bonus factors, all credits earned over thecourse of any preceding game must be placed either entirely or in parton one or more outcomes.

According to one embodiment, bonus credits are awarded by casinooperators to players in exchange of comp points. According to yetanother embodiment, bonus credits are awarded by casino operators totheir best clients. According to yet another embodiment, a payout forsome games consists in converting a winning player's entire creditbalance into bonus credits. According to yet another embodiment, apayout for some games consists in converting a percentage of a winningplayer's credit balance into bonus credits.

According to one embodiment, bonus credits are awarded in the form ofphysical tokens that can be readily recognized by the terminals.According to one embodiment, bonus credits are redeemable for cash.According to another embodiment, bonus credits are not redeemable forcash. According to one embodiment, bonus credits have a lesser cashvalue than regular credits. According to one embodiment, bonus creditshave a greater cash value than regular credits.

The cycle described above is repeated for each of the four subsequentgames, which will be briefly described below. FIG. 9 illustrates avisual interface 901 displayed on the center display 103 to present ananimation of the selection of an outcome for the second game. Theanimation consists in opening three chests 903 to find a hidden diamond.FIG. 10 illustrates the visual interface 901 displayed on the centerdisplay 103 to present the second game's outcome by revealing a diamondin the chest 1001. Winning bets were therefore those placed on the chest1001. The display of the outcome signals the end of the second game.

FIG. 11 illustrates the user interface 801 displayed on the terminal 101for informing the player of the second game's outcome through a message1101. The interface 801 is followed by an interface 1201 illustrated inFIG. 12. The interface 1201 informs the player of a number of creditsearned over the course of the second game, namely five, and provides theplayer with the option of committing the earned credits to the thirdgame. The payout table tabs 313 inform the player that payouts oftwenty, two hundred, four thousand, and eight thousand credits arewithin reach should the earned credits be committed repeatedly,depending on the length of the winning streak within the sequence.

FIG. 13 illustrates a user interface 1301 displayed on the terminal 101for placing a bet on one or more outcomes of the third game. The playerhad earned credits in the previous game, but decided not to commit them,and as a result, no bonus credits are displayed. However, the playerplaced five credits 1309 in one of bet areas 1307 assigned to the ace ofhearts. The payout table tabs 313 inform the player that payouts ofseven, seventy, a thousand four hundred, and two thousand eight hundredcredits are within reach should the earned credits be committedrepeatedly, depending on the length of the winning streak within thesequence. It is important to note that the potential payouts presentedin FIG. 13 are significantly inferior to those presented in FIG. 12,even if the bet is in the same amount, namely five credits, and the setsof outcomes on which bets can be placed are identical. This isattributable to the difference between regular and bonus factors.

FIG. 14 illustrates a visual interface 1401 displayed on the centerdisplay 103 to present an animation of the selection of an outcome forthe third game. The animation consists in a shuffle of four ace cards1403 of a standard deck of playing cards. FIG. 15 illustrates the visualinterface 1401 displayed on the center display 103 to present the thirdgame's outcome by selecting one of the ace cards 1403. The ace of hearts1501 is displayed as distinguished from the other ace cards 1403following the shuffle. Therefore, winning bets are those placed on theace of hearts 1501. The display of the outcome signals the end of thethird game.

FIG. 16 illustrates a user interface 1301 displayed on the terminal 101for informing the player of the outcome of the third game through amessage 1601. The interface 1301 is followed by an interface 1701illustrated in FIG. 17. The interface 1701 informs the player of anumber of credits earned over the course of the third game, namelyseven, and provides the player with the option of committing the earnedcredits to the fourth game. The payout table tabs 313 inform the playerthat payouts of seventy, a thousand four hundred, and two thousand eighthundred credits are within reach should the earned credits be committedrepeatedly, depending on the length of the winning streak within thesequence.

FIG. 18 illustrates a user interface 1801 displayed on the terminal 101for placing a bet on one or more outcomes of the fourth game. The playerhad earned credits in the previous game, but decided not to commit them,and as a result, no bonus credits are displayed. However, the playerplaced two credits 1809 in one of bet areas 1807 assigned to numberfive. The payout table tabs 313 inform the player that payouts ofeighteen, three hundred fifty, and seven hundred credits are withinreach should the earned credits be committed repeatedly, depending onthe length of the winning streak within the sequence.

FIG. 19 illustrates a visual interface 1901 displayed on the centerdisplay 103 to present an animation of the selection of an outcome ofthe fourth game, the animation consisting in a wheel spin. FIG. 20illustrates the visual interface 1901 displayed on the center of thedisplay to present the fourth game's outcome. A tab 1905 is aligned withsection five 2001 of a wheel 1903. Therefore, winning bets are thoseplaced on number five. The display of the outcome signals the end of thefourth game.

FIG. 21 illustrates the user interface 1801 displayed on the terminal101 for informing the player of the outcome of the fourth game through amessage 2101. The interface 1801 is followed by an interface 2201illustrated in FIG. 22. The interface 2201 informs the player of anumber of credits earned over the course of the fourth game, namelyeighteen, and provides the player with the option of committing theearned credits to the fifth game. The payout table tabs 313 inform theplayer that payouts of three hundred fifty and seven hundred credits arewithin reach should the earned credits be committed repeatedly,depending on the length of the winning streak within the sequence.

FIG. 23 illustrates a user interface 2301 displayed on the terminal 101for placing a bet on one or more outcomes of the fifth game. The playerhad earned credits in the previous game, but decided not to commit them,and as a result, no bonus credits are displayed. However, the playerplaced two credits 2309 in three bet areas 2307 assigned to numbers one,fifteen, and seventeen. The payout table tabs 313 inform the player thatpayouts of thirty-five and seventy credits are within reach should theearned credits be committed repeatedly, depending on the length of thewinning streak within the sequence.

FIG. 24 illustrates a visual interface 2401 displayed on the centerdisplay 103 to present an animation of the selection of an outcome ofthe fifth game, the animation consisting in a ball shuffle. FIG. 25illustrates the visual interface 2401 displayed on the center of thedisplay to present the fifth game's outcome. Following the shuffle, balleighteen 2405 is selected. The display of the outcome signals the end ofthe fifth game.

FIG. 26 illustrates the user interface 2301 displayed on the terminal101 for informing the player of the outcome of the fifth game through amessage 2601. The interface 2301 is followed by an interface 2701illustrated in FIG. 27. The interface 2701 informs the player of anumber of credits earned over the course of the fifth game, namelythirty-five, and provides the player with the option of committing theearned credits to the fifth game. The payout table tab 313 informs theplayer that a payout of seventy credits is within reach should theearned credits be committed.

However, if the player does not earn credits in the fifth game, theinterface 2801 illustrated in FIG. 28 is displayed on the terminal 101to inform the player that only those that that earned credits in thefifth game may take part in the sixth through a message 2805. Accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention, the payout factor for thesixth game does not confer any advantage to the house. Still accordingto the preferred embodiment, only credits earned in the fifth game canbe placed on an outcome of the sixth. However, according to anotherembodiment, eligible players can also place bets with credits retrievedfrom their credit balance. According to yet another embodiment, allplayers are eligible to participate in all the games.

FIG. 29 illustrates a user interface 2901 displayed on the terminal 2901for placing a bet on an outcome of the sixth and last game of thesequence. The player placed the previously earned credits 2909 in one ofbet areas 2907 assigned to tails. The last payout table tab 313 informsthe player that a payout of seventy credits is within reach should theoutcome of the coin toss be tails.

FIG. 30 illustrates a visual interface 3001 displayed on the centerdisplay 103 to present an animation of the selection of an outcome ofthe sixth game, the animation consisting in coin toss. FIG. 31illustrates the visual interface 3001 displayed on the center of thedisplay to present the sixth game's outcome. Following the toss, a coin3003 lands on tails. The display of the outcome signals the end of thesixth game.

FIG. 32 illustrates the user interface 2901 displayed on the terminal101 to inform the player of a number of credits earned over the courseof the sixth game, namely seventy. The display of the selected outcomeon the terminal 101 coincides with the end of the sequence. Referringback to FIG. 36, once the period of time provided by the sequencer 3601expires, the timer 3609 provides the sequencer 3601 a time signalindicating the end of the last game. In response, the sequencer 3601retrieves the next game of the sequence, namely the first game, from thestore of sequence rules 3605, and provides the game selection to aneligibility controller 3603, which in turn retrieves from the store ofsequence rules 3605 the requirements to be met for players to benefitfrom bonus conditions. The eligibility controller 3603 determines thatthe selected game is the first one of the sequence and provides theresulting restrictions, which consists in a status signal indicating theend of the sequence, to the sequencer 3601.

FIG. 37 is flowchart illustrating a method of providing enhanced payoutsaccording to the preferred embodiment. The steps of the method areexplained below with reference to FIG. 33 to FIG. 36 in order to clarifythe correspondence between the steps and the components of the system.

In a step 3701, bonus bets are accepted on any of the last selectedgame's set of outcomes. As mentioned above, bonus bets differ fromregular bets in that they are placed with bonus credits. Furthermore,bonus credits may be obtained from a variety of sources. For instance,casino operators may award their best customers bonus credits in theform of physical tokens that can be easily distinguished from regulartokens by at least some of the game devices. However, according to thepreferred embodiment, bonus credits correspond to credits earned in animmediately preceding game and committed to the last selected game.Referring back to FIG. 33, the step 3701 involves several components ofthe system. More specifically, the terminal 101 receives the player'sinput, which includes a request to place a bonus bet, and provides it tothe user interface controller 3303. In response, the user interfacecontroller 3303 identifies the request within the player's input, andprovides the request to the bet controller 3307. Referring now to FIG.35, the user interface controller 3303 stores the bonus bet in the storeof bonus bets 3513. The payout controller 3505 retrieves the bonus betfrom the store of bonus bets 3513, and resets the player's earnedcredits stored in the store of earned credits 3515.

In a step 3703, bet requests are accepted and approved on any of thelast selected game's set of outcomes. Referring back to FIG. 33, thestep 3703 involves several components of the system. More specifically,the terminal 101 receives the player's input, which includes a requestto place a bet, and provides it to the user interface controller 3303.In response, the user interface controller 3303 provides the request tothe credit controller 3309, which retrieves the player's credit balancefrom the store of player credits 3311, and determines whether theretrieved credit balance holds a sufficient number of credits to acceptthe bet. If the credit balance does hold a sufficient number of credits,the credit controller 3309 decrements the credit balance by the creditsinvolved in the bet, stores the updated credit balance in the store ofplayer credits 3311, and provides the approved bet to the bet controller3307. Referring now to FIG. 35, the credit controller 3307 stores theapproved bet in the store of approved bets 3509.

Once all bonus bets are accepted, and all regular bets are accepted andapproved, one of the potential outcomes of a last selected game israndomly selected in a step 3707. Referring back to FIG. 34, the step3707 is performed by the outcome generator 3403, which can be a randomnumber generator or any other random selection mechanism. The outcomegenerator 3403 retrieves from the store of game specifications 3405 allpotential outcomes of the last selected game, randomly selects one ofthe retrieved outcomes, and provides the selected outcome to the maingame controller 3401, which in turn dispatches the outcome to othercomponents of the system.

Once the outcome of the game is selected, and in accordance with a step3709, those of the bets that were placed on the selected outcome areidentified as winning bets. Referring back to FIG. 35, the step 3709involves several components of the bet controller 3307. Morespecifically, the single game controller 3305 provides the selectedoutcome to the main bet controller 3501 and the bonus bet controller3503. In response, the main bet controller 3501 retrieves all approvedbets from the store of approved bets 3509, compares the retrieves betswith the selected outcome, and identifies those of the approved betsthat were placed on the selected outcome as winning bets. Similarly, thebonus bet controller 3503 retrieves all bonus bets from the store ofbonus bets 3513, compares the retrieves bonus bets with the selectedoutcome, and identifies those of the bonus bets that were placed on theselected outcome as winning bonus bets.

Credits earned from a winning bet are calculated differently from thoseearned from a winning bonus bet. Therefore, and in a step 3709, thewinning bets are distinguished from the winning bonus bets. Referringback to FIG. 35, the step 3709 is performed by the main bet controller3501 and the bonus bet controller 3503. As mentioned previously, themain bet controller 3501 identifies those of the approved bets that wereplaced on the selected outcome as winning bets, and the bonus betcontroller 3503, those of the bonus bets that were placed on theselected outcome as winning bonus bets.

If winning bets are identified, and in steps 3713 and 3715, agame-appropriate factor is retrieved, the sum of the number of creditsinvolved in all identified winning bets is calculated, and thecalculated sum is multiplied by the retrieved factor to obtain thenumber of credits earned with the approved bets. Referring back to FIG.35, the steps 3713 and 3715 are performed by the main bet controller3501, which retrieves the game-appropriate factor from the store offactors 3507, calculates the sum of the number of credits involved inthe winning bets, and multiplies the calculated sum by the retrievedfactor to obtain the credits earned with the approved bets. The main betcontroller stores the earned credits in the store of earned credits3515.

If winning bonus bets are identified, and in steps 3717 and 3719, agame-appropriate bonus factor is retrieved, the sum of the number ofcredits involved in all identified winning bonus bets is calculated, andthe calculated sum is multiplied by the retrieved factor to obtain thenumber of credits earned with the bonus bets. Referring back to FIG. 35,the steps 3717 and 3719 are performed by the bonus bet controller 3503,which retrieves the game-appropriate factor from the store of bonusfactors 3511, calculates the sum of the number of credits involved inthe winning bets, and multiplies the calculated sum by the retrievedfactor to obtain the credits earned with the bonus bets.

Once the credits earned with the bonus bets are calculated, they areadded to the credits earned with the approved bets in a step 3721.Referring back to FIG. 35, the step 3721 is performed by the bonus betcontroller 3503, which increments the credits stored by the main betcontroller 3501 in the store of earned credits 3515 by the creditsearned with the bonus bets.

Subsequently, and in a step 3723, players are provided with anopportunity to benefit from bonus factors in the following game inexchange for a commitment to place their earned credits on a singleoutcome. Referring back to FIG. 33, the step 3723 involves severalcomponents of the system. More specifically, the sequence controller3313 provides transition instructions to the user interface controller3303, which retrieves the credits earned from the store of earnedcredits 3515, retrieves and assembles graphics in accordance with thetransition instructions to inform the play of the opportunity to benefitfrom bonus factors in exchange for a commitment to place the retrievedcredits on a single outcome in the following game, and provides theretrieved and assembled graphics to the terminal 101 for display.Thereafter, the terminal 101 accepts the player's input and provides itto the user interface controller 3303, which interprets the providedinput to determine whether the player wishes to benefit from theprovided opportunity.

If it is determined that the player wishes to benefit from the providedopportunity, and in a step 3701, a corresponding bonus bet is accepted.Referring back to FIG. 35, the step 3701 involves several components ofthe system. More specifically, if the player submits a bonus requestthrough the terminal 101, the user interface controller 3303 providesthe request to the bet controller 3307. More specifically, and referringto FIG. 35, the user interface controller 3307 stores the bonus requestin the store of bonus bets 3513. A payout controller 3505 retrieves thebonus request from the store of bonus bets 3513 and updates the store ofearned credits 3515.

However, if the player does not submit a bonus request, and in a step3725, the earned credits are added to the credit balance. Referring backto FIG. 35, the step 3725 involves several components of the system.More specifically, if the player does not submit a bonus request throughthe terminal 101, no bonus request is stored in the store of bonus bets3513, and no bonus request is retrieved by the payout controller 3505.As a result, the payout controller 3515 retrieves the player's earnedcredits from the store of earned credits 3515 and provides the earnedcredits as payouts to another component of the system. Referring now toFIG. 33, the payout controller 3505 provides the payout to the creditcontroller 3309, which retrieves the player's credit balance from thestore of player credits 3311, increments the retrieved credit balance bythe provided payout, and stored the updated credit balance in the storeof player credits 3311.

FIG. 38 is flowchart illustrating a method of operating a sequence ofgames presenting enhanced payouts according to the preferred embodiment.The steps of the method are explained below with reference to FIG. 33 toFIG. 36 in order to clarify the correspondence between the steps and thecomponents of the system.

In a step 3801, the next game of the sequence and its time settings areretrieved. Referring back to FIG. 35, the step 3801 is performed by thesequencer 3601, which retrieves from the store of sequence rules 3605the next game of the sequence and the time settings, namely the durationof the selected game. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, thesequence of games is predetermined. However, in accordance with anotherembodiment, the games are randomly selected, and as a result, thesequence is not predetermined. In accordance with yet anotherembodiment, the game is selected by a dealer operating a game-selectionswitch.

In a step 3803, a timer is set to signal the moment at which theselected game ends and the following game of the sequence is to beselected. Referring back to FIG. 36, the sequencer 3601 provides thetime settings of the selected game to the timer 3609.

Subsequently, it is determined whether the selected game is the firstgame of the sequence in a step 3805. Referring back to FIG. 36, the step3805 involves several components of the system. More specifically, thesequencer 3601 provides the game selection to the eligibility controller3601, which then retrieves from the store of sequence rules 3605 therequirements to be met for players to benefit from bonus conditions. Inaccordance with the preferred embodiment, the bonus conditions areexclusively available to players that have earned credits in animmediately preceding game of a same sequence. Therefore, theeligibility controller 3603 determines whether the selected game is thefirst game.

If the selected game is not the first game, and in accordance with astep 3807, winners of the immediately preceding game and their earnedcredits are retrieved. Referring back to FIG. 35, the step 3807 involvesseveral components of the system. More specifically, the eligibilitycontroller 3603 retrieves the credits earned by the players from thestore of earned credits 3515, identifies those of the players that havenot earned credits, and provides the resulting restrictions, whichconsist in a list of the identified players, to the sequencer 3601,which in turn dispatches the restrictions to the user interfacecontroller 3303, and provides transition instructions to the userinterface controller 3303 and the visual interface controller 3315.Referring back to FIG. 33, the user interface controller 3303 retrieveseach player's earned credits from the bet controller 3307, and accordingto the transition instructions provided by the sequence controller 3313,retrieves and assembles graphics for informing each of the of theplayers not found on the restricted list of their winning bets andearned credits. The graphics also provide the players with anopportunity to benefit from advantageous payout factors in the followinggame in exchange for a commitment to place bets with the earned credits,wherein the advantageous factors are exclusively applicable to thecommitted credits. Bets placed under these bonus conditions are referredto as bonus bets, and the advantageous payout factors, as bonus factors.The user interface controller 3303 provides the retrieved and assembledgraphics to the terminal 101 for display.

In a step 3809, those of the winners who wish to benefit from theprovided opportunity are identified. Referring back to FIG. 33, the step3809 involves several components of the system. More specifically, ifthe terminal 101 accepts the player's request to benefit from theprovided opportunity, it provides the player's input to the userinterface controller 3303, which in turn interprets the provided playerinput to identify the player's bonus request, and provides the requestto the bet controller 3307. Referring to FIG. 35, the user interfacecontroller 3307 stores the bonus request in the store of bonus bets3513. A payout controller 3505 retrieves the bonus request from thestore of bonus bets 3513 and updates the store of earned credits 3515accordingly.

In a step 3811, it is determined whether the selected game is the lastgame of the sequence. Referring back to FIG. 36, the step 3811 involvesseveral components of the system. More specifically, once theeligibility controller 3601 is provided with the last selected game, itretrieves from the store of sequence rules 3605 the requirements to bemet for players to participate in the selected game. In accordance withthe preferred embodiment, a bet on an outcome of the last game can onlybe placed with credits earned over the course of the penultimate game ofthe sequence. Therefore, the eligibility controller 3603 determineswhether the selected game is the last game.

If the selected game is the last game, the bet phase for the selectedgame is only activated for those of the players identified in the step3809, namely the winners who accepted the bonus conditions. Morespecifically, referring back to FIG. 35, the step 3809 is performed bythe eligibility controller 3603, which provides restrictions, namely alist of all the players that may not take part in the last game, to thesequencer 3601, which in turn provides the restrictions andcorresponding display instructions to the user interface controller3303. If the terminal 101 with which the user interface controller 3303communicates is operated by a player on the restricted list, the userinterface controller 3303 disables the betting interface displayed onthe terminal 101 in accordance with the provided instructions.

However, if it is determined that the selected game is not the last gamein the step 3811 or is the first game in the step 3805, the bet phase isactivated for all players in a step 3813. Referring back to FIG. 33, thestep 3805 involves several components of the system. More specifically,the single game controller 3305 provides display instructions to theuser interface controller 3303, which, in the absence of any conflictinginstructions from the sequence controller 3313, provides the graphics ofthe bet phase to the terminal 101.

In a step 3817, one of the potential outcomes of a last selected game israndomly selected. Referring back to FIG. 34, the step 3817 is performedby the outcome generator 3403, which can be a random number generator orany other random selection mechanism. The outcome generator 3403retrieves from the store of game specifications 3405 all potentialoutcomes of the selected game, randomly selects one of the retrievedoutcomes, and provides the selected outcome to the main game controller3401, which in turn dispatches the outcome to other components of thesystem.

Once the game outcome is selected, and according to a step 3819, thecredits earned by the player for bets placed on the selected outcome arecalculated. Referring back to FIG. 35, the step 3819 involves severalcomponents of the system. More specifically, the main bet controller3501 identifies those of the approved bets that were placed on theselected outcome as winning bets, and the bonus bet controller 3503,those of the bonus bets that were placed on the selected outcome aswinning bonus bets. If winning bets are identified, the main betcontroller 3501 retrieves the game-appropriate factor from the store offactors 3507, calculates the sum of the number of credits involved inthe winning bets, and multiplies the calculated sum by the retrievedfactor to obtain the credits earned with the approved bets. The main betcontroller stores the earned credits in the store of earned credits3515. If winning bonus bets are identified, the bonus bet controller3503 retrieves the game-appropriate factor from the store of bonusfactors 3511, calculates the sum of the number of credits involved inthe winning bets, multiplies the calculated sum by the retrieved factorto obtain the credits earned with the bonus bets, and adds thecalculated credits to those stored in the store of earned credits 3515by the main bet controller 3501.

Finally in a step 3825, it is determined whether the timer set in thestep 3801 has expired. Referring back to FIG. 36, once the period oftime provided by the sequencer 3601 elapses, the timer 3609 provides thesequencer 3601 a time signal indicating the end of the first game. Inresponse, the sequencer 3601 retrieves the next game of the sequence inaccordance with the step 3801.

It is important to note that while the steps of the invention have beendescribed as performed by automated operation of circuitry, they mayvery well be performed by a dealer. For instance, the timing of thesequence can be controlled by a dealer operating a game-selectionswitch.

While the game has been described as involving a sequence of gameshaving no particular relation to other casino games, the game may, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention, involve anothersequence of games, each of the corresponds to a sample of a distinctcasino game, and whereby the player is introduced to several games in anefficient manner.

Furthermore, while the game has been described as involving a sequenceof games having no particular relation to one particular casino game,the game may, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,involve another sequence of games, each of which corresponds to adistinct sample covering a distinct aspect of a same game, and wherebythe player is introduced to various aspects of a same game in anefficient manner.

According to one embodiment, the terminal 101 is a personal computer,the remaining components of the system are stored on a server, and theterminal 101 communicates with the user interface controller 3303through a network such as the Internet. Preferably, the communicationprotocol applied by the terminal 101 and the server is highly reliableand provides for enhanced confidentiality of the player's information.

While the game has been described as involving six sequential games, itmay be configured to involve a lesser or greater number of games.Furthermore, while the game has been described as generated anddisplayed electronically, it may be generated and displayedmechanically. Also, while the game has been described as played on anapparatus comprising four terminals 101, it may be played on anapparatus comprising a lesser or greater number of terminals 101, orconnected to a network of terminals 101 whereby a larger number ofplayers may participate. Also while the individual terminals 101 havebeen described as enabling players to place bets on a game generated byand displayed on a center display 103, each of these terminals 101 maygenerate and display their own, distinct games, wherein a player mayplace bets on games generated by and displayed on the center display 103as well as those generated and displayed by the individual terminal.

1. A gaming system for providing enhanced payouts, the systemcomprising: a terminal for accepting regular bets placed with regularcredits and bonus bets placed with bonus credits on any of a same set ofgame outcomes; a game controller for providing game display instructionsto the terminal and for selecting one the game outcomes in accordancewith rules of the game; the main bet controller for multiplying theregular credits placed on the selected outcome by a regular factor todetermine credits earned with the regular bets; a bonus bet controllerfor multiplying the bonus credits placed on the selected outcome by abonus factor to determine credits earned with the bonus bets, whereinthe bonus factor is greater than the regular factor; and a creditcontroller for incrementing the player's credit balance by at least someof the credits earned with the regular bets and bonus bets.
 2. Thegaming system of claim 1 wherein the credits earned with the bonus betsare bonus credits.
 3. The gaming system of claim 2 wherein the creditsearned with the regular bets are bonus credits.
 4. The gaming system ofclaim 2 further comprising a payout controller for deducting from thebonus credit increment resulting from an immediately preceding play thebonus credits with which the bonus bets are placed within a current playto obtain a regular credit payout and wherein the credit controllerincrements the player's credit balance by the payout.
 5. The gamingsystem of claim 3 further comprising a payout controller for deductingfrom the bonus credit increment resulting from an immediately precedingplay the bonus credits with which the bonus bets are placed within acurrent play to obtain a regular credit payout and wherein the creditcontroller increments the player's credit balance by the payout.
 6. Amethod of providing an enhanced payout comprising: providing regularcredits and bonus credits in accordance with two different acquisitionmodalities; accepting regular bets placed with the regular credits orbonus bets placed with the bonus credits on any of a same set of gameoutcomes; selecting one the outcomes; if the regular bets are accepted,multiplying the regular credits placed on the selected outcome by aregular factor to determine credits earned with the regular bets; if thebonus bets are accepted, multiplying the bonus credits placed on theselected outcome by a bonus factor to determine the credits earned withthe bonus bets, wherein the bonus factor is greater than the regularfactor; and incrementing the player's credit balance by at least some ofthe credits earned with the regular bets and bonus bets.
 7. The methodof claim 6 wherein the credits earned with the bonus bets are bonuscredits.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the credits earned with theregular bets are bonus credits.
 9. The method of claim 7 furthercomprising deducting from the bonus credit increment resulting from animmediately preceding play the bonus credits with which the bonus betsare placed within a current play to obtain a regular credit payout andincrementing the player's credit balance by the payout.
 10. The methodof claim 8 further comprising deducting from the bonus credit incrementresulting from an immediately preceding play the bonus credits withwhich the bonus bets are placed within a current play to obtain aregular credit payout and incrementing the player's credit balance bythe payout.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein the multiplying theregular credits placed on the selected outcome and the multiplying thebonus credits placed on the selected outcome are performed by automatedoperation of circuitry.
 12. A gaming system for operating a sequence ofsingle games, the system comprising: a sequencer for selecting a nextone of the games of the sequence; a timer for enabling the sequencer atpredetermined intervals of time; a terminal for accepting bets placed bya player on any of a set of outcomes of the last selected game; a singlegame controller for providing game display instructions to the terminaland for selecting one of the potential outcomes; the bet controller fordetermining the credits earned by the player with those of the betsplaced on the selected outcome; and the credit controller forincrementing the player's credit balance by at least a portion of theearned credits.
 13. The gaming system of claim 12 further comprising aneligibility controller for determining whether the player is eligible toparticipate in the last selected game in accordance with rules of thegame and for disabling the terminal if the player is not eligible. 14.The gaming system of claim 13 wherein the eligibility controllerdetermines whether the last selected game is restricted to players thathave earned credits in a previous one of the games, and disables theterminal for the restricted game if the player has not earned thecredits in the previous game.
 15. The gaming system of claim 12 whereinthe terminal accepts regular bets placed with regular credits and bonusbets placed with bonus credits on any of the same plurality of gameoutcomes, the bet controller comprises a main bet controller formultiplying the regular credits placed on the selected outcome by aregular factor to determine credits earned with the regular bets and abonus bet controller for multiplying the bonus credits placed on theselected outcome by a bonus factor to determine credits earned with thebonus bets, the bonus factor is greater than the regular factor, thecredits earned with the regular and bonus bets are the bonus credits forplacing the bonus bets over the course of subsequent ones of the gamesof the sequence.
 16. A method of operating a sequence of single games,the method comprising: selecting a next one of the games of the sequenceat predetermined intervals of time; accepting bets placed by a player onany of a set of outcomes of the last selected game; selecting one of theoutcomes; determining the credits earned by the player with those of thebets placed on the selected outcome; and incrementing the player'scredit balance by at least a portion of the earned credits.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 further comprising determining whether the player iseligible to participate in the last selected game in accordance withrules of the game wherein the accepting bets is only performed if theplayer is eligible.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the determiningwhether the player is eligible comprises determining whether the lastselected game is restricted to players that have earned credits in aprevious one of the games, and the accepting bets is performed only ifthe player has earned the credits in the previous game.
 19. The methodof claim 16 wherein the accepting bets comprises accepting regular betsplaced with regular credits and bonus bets placed with bonus credits onany of the same set of game outcomes, the determining the bets earned bythe player comprises multiplying the regular credits placed on theselected outcome by a regular factor to determine credits earned withthe regular bets and multiplying the bonus credits placed on theselected outcome by a bonus factor to determine credits earned with thebonus bets, the bonus factor is greater than the regular factor.
 20. Themethod of claim 16 wherein the selecting a next one of the games isperformed by automated operation of circuitry.